UCLA dominated by Oregon in second half of 42-14 loss

UCLA became the first team this season to play No. 2-ranked Oregon to as much as a tie in the first half.

But it was all downhill after that.

The No. 12-ranked Bruins were shutout in the second half of a 42-14 loss to the Ducks at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

And as UCLA stalled, Oregon got its offense very much in gear.

Quarterback Marcus Mariota completed all 10 of his second-half passes, and sophomore running back Byron Marshall turned in his fifth consecutive triple-digit rushing game, finishing with 133 yards and three touchdowns in 19 carries.

Mariota finished having completed 21 of 28 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown as Oregon improved to 8-0 overall, 5-0 in Pac-12 Conference play.

Marshall was a backup until De'Anthony Thomas injured his ankle. Thomas returned to action on Saturday, running for 31 yards in 10 carries, all in the first half. Thomas did not play in the second half.

Back of Marshall, Oregon showed it has yet another up and comer. Freshman Thomas Tyner ran for 77 yards in 14 carries. He had all 66 yards in an eight-play scoring drive in the fourth quarter.

Oregon finished with 325 yards rushing. UCLA had 219 yards rushing, including 93 in 22 carries by Paul Perkins and 72 and a touchdown in 15 carries by quarterback Brett Hundley.

However, Hundley suffered through a horrific passing game, throwing for just 64 yards in 13 completions in 19 passes. He had two passes intercepted.

The score might have been more lopsided if not for two Oregon mistakes.

The first, a fumble, set up UCLA's first touchdown. Later, UCLA freshman Myles Jack blocked a punt, setting up the Bruins' final touchdown.

UCLA fell to 5-2 overall, 2-2 in Pac-12 play.

The Bruins and Ducks could meet in a rematch in the Pac-12 championship game.

There's so much attention paid to UCLA's offense and quarterback Brett Hundley, but the improvement of the defense under coordinator Lou Spanos and head coach Jim Mora is the biggest difference between this Bruins team and losing teams from the past.

Still tied, 14-14, with a eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Jack forced a fumble and partially deflected a punt to set up the Bruins’ two touchdowns.

On the second play of the game, Jack stripped the ball from Oregon receiver Keanon Lowe and Randall Goforth recovered. The Bruins turned it into a touchdown, with the help of a pass interference penalty on a third down. Quarterback Brett Hundley scored on a four-yard run to take a 7-0 lead.

Jack later blocked a punt that gave the Bruins the ball at the Oregon 28 in the second quarter. Hundley closed the short drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Duarte on a third-and-four play to tie the score, 14-14. Earlier in the drive, Hundley scrambled for seven yards on a third-and-six play.

Hundley completed only six of nine passes for 43 yards. He had a pass intercepted by Boseko Lokombo inside the 10-yard line that killed a UCLA second quarter scoring drive.

The Bruins had 147 yards rushing in the half. Paul Perkins had 60 and Hundley 57.

UCLA’s defense handled Oregon’s potent offense. But a 66 yard Rodney Hardrick run on a fake punt set the Ducks up at the UCLA 8. De’Anthony Thomas caught a seven-yard pass, then scored on a one-yard run.

Oregon took a 14-7 lead on a 40-yard run by Byron Marshall in the first quarter.